SGL GUITARS
Portsmouth
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Based at Baffins Pond, LUTHIER Simon Jones at SGL GUITARS is Portsmouth's premier dedicated professional guitar and stringed musical instrument custom build, repair and service specialist with over 17,000 instruments serviced and repaired over the past 30 years.
At SGL Guitars, you are GUARANTEED a vast improvment on your guitar, bass or other instrument. Go on... treat your guitar!
Set-ups from £45.00
Refrets from £175.00
Electronics Upgrades
Structural Repairs
Restoration
Customising
Servicing
Pickup Fitting
Custom Building
Heat treatment
Scroll down to see customer testimonials.
Spend a little time exploring this easy to navigate website, I did it myself years ago so it's a bit Mickey Mouse...but people seem to like it! There's plenty of information here but if you don't find what you
are looking for, make sure you call or text on 07912 655517 or e-mail me
on simon@sglguitars.co.uk, I will always be glad to help you any way I can.
PICTURES TO
LOOK AT
The gallery pages
show some examples of the more interesting repair and custom building
work that I have completed. I will add more pics
as work is completed and when guitars I have made come in for servicing.
Just click on the thumbnail image of your choice to be taken to the
full size picture.
REPAIRS WORKSHOP
If you want
to go straight into prices for repairs and servicing, the Workshop
Prices page gives a detailed description of exactly what is
included in the most popular guitar repairs that I undertake and will help
you to evaluate the level of service you receive for your money
in comparison with other luthiers... just check it out and see exactly
what a professional set-up includes for example.
TO TWEAK
OR NOT TO TWEAK?
The Technical Page is definitely
worth a look if you want to get a bit more... er... technical.
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Some Testimonials from regular customers:
Simon did some work on my Martin guitar.. I really love this guitar and it's always difficult entrusting it to someone else, so I was very glad when I met him as he is obviously very passionate about his work. The guitar had some issues with string buzzing and also needed an acoustic pickup system installed on it and a strap pin. Everything was done very tidy and professionally, and the guitar sounds great! He was also flexible with drop off / pick up times and worked to schedule, which was important to me. I would not hesitate to recommend Simon to anyone who needs work done on their acoustic guitar.
Horia Juganaru
It's like a different instrument, never had one of my many basses set up before, what a difference. It's a beautiful but elderly instrument, broken metal machine head turner repaired with some magical glue, I had been told previously that it couldn't be done, new strings, electrics all sharp, action so tight it almost plays it's self .
Thanks Simon the rest are on their way!!!!
Liz Parry
"My experience with Simon has been first class. I'm a 'pub/club' player and it's important for me to know that, while Simon obviously caters for guitarists of far greater renown, he looks after my instruments with equal skill and professionalism. Approachable, skilful and professional. And he makes me sound better too!"
Neil Matthews
Hi Si. I just wanted to tell how over the moon I am with the work you carried out on my little SG. I also want to thank you for your honesty when advising on the work required. Pretty rare these days, sadly. I don’t remember the last time a skilled tradesmen suggested I spend less!
The guitar was pretty well set already for an 8 year old instrument with minimal wear, as we agreed and yet you have managed to make it feel/play like some top end custom shop instrument. It feels like a 6k guitar instead of a 600 quid model. The fretwork is perfect and there are no snags at all on the new nut. Bend after bend it stays in tune! The action is so low and not a choke anywhere on the neck. I can’t thank you enough.
I would advise anyone who’s looking for 110% from there instrument to take it to you. Even if it’s great already I bet you could make just that bit better. Top, top work and thanks again.
John Mitchell
"I contacted SGL Guitars as my Fender Stratocaster was in some urgent need of some attention. After some professional fret dressing and a full set up, the guitar now the plays like a dream! If you're looking for a good honest luthier who knows what they are doing then Simon's your man!,
Highly Recommended!
Dan O'Donovan
I want to express my thanks and gratitude for the excellent work you recently carried out on my 22year old Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Over the years it had developed a deep crack in the paintwork, and it had never had a service. You managed to repair the scratch so it's now barely noticeable, and gave the guitar a complete service which included replacement of the fret wires. As a result, the guitar sounds and plays better than it ever has! The action is much smoother and it is actually easier to play! Many thanks for your excellent work, at an excellent price. I will be returning in a couple of months to have similar treatment for my Fender acoustic guitar (but this one is a baby at only 15 years old)!!!
Rob Kelly
Swansea Customers
“Having had my guitars maintained by Simon Jones at SGL Guitars for some years now, I would highly recommend his services without hesitation. I know I can rely on his expertise and workmanship with complete confidence.”
Mal Pope.
www.malpope.com
"I am a professional freelance electric and acoustic bass player and also a studio owner and record producer. My touring and recording experience is extensive ranging from Cerys Mathews UkTours, Shakin Stevens Europe, Gary Numan, several world tours, the West End and back via TV Radio and any musical situation a bass guitarist finds himself in? I have known Simon for many years now and he has worked extensively on my working instruments ranging from Wal basses, Fender, Epiphone, upright electric and acoustic double basses and various retro and custom made one-offs. He has also prepared many instruments for me to be studio-fit, ie set up and in tune, which many newcomers to recording so often overlook?? Simon has always managed to fit me in at short notice and never complains about the odd mix of instruments I throw his way. It is absolutely crucial for a busy professional to have every instrument in tip top condition and full trust in the luthier. My 1st choice is SGL! If I was to have one small criticism it is that he is a Goldwing rider and being a BMW GS rider myself we do tend to clash occasionally??????"
Andy (Wal) Coughlan, "Amigos"
Simon, I felt I had to write and tell you how thrilled I am with my repaired FYLDE acoustic. As you know it was badly damaged and I didnt think such an old and rare guitar could be repaired. You are a fine and skilled craftsman and I thank you.
Max Boyce, M.B.E. F.R.W.C.M.D
"I have known Simon for many years and he has always been a genius with any guitar I have given him. He does such a good job, I've never had to have them set up again! If you want a reliable Luthier who is also a good guy... call Simon at SGL Guitars"
(Dai has written songs which have led to record and publishing deals with Sony, ATV Music, Ryko (USA) and Warner / Korova. Dai songwrites both indivudally and in collaboration – and as such he’s seen his songs in the Top 20, played live to audiences of 60,000, on TV and in film.)
Dai Smith, Songwriter & Producer
www.daismith.co.uk
"I've known Simon for some time now and have no problem recommending his sterling work to any of my clients. As you can imagine, in the studio, intonation and reliable electronics are under the microscope and those things will waste a lot of time, so a good set up and electronics check are essential. When Girlschool came to record an album, they had borrowed an old Les Paul Custom. On opening the case the headstock was hanging off! "Don't worry girls" I said I know just the man! Simon repaired it before the drums and bass were done, and we spent most of the afternoon looking for the repair that Simon had done - it was that good!"
Tim Hammil, "Sonic One Studios"
www.sonic-one.co.uk
"Having used Simon for Many repairs and guitar builds over the last 21 years, I have always found him enthusiastic, committed and above all professional in his understanding of the job in hand. I'd fully recommend his work!!"
Keith Fender
"I have known Simon for several years now and he has saved my Bouzouki many a time before crucial gigs here and abroad.
His re-fretting, setting up and general make over is top quality, making my Bouzouki more natural sounding and easier to play, Top Man!! Cheers Simon."
Chris Pitson, "Boys From The Hill"
"My experience with Simon has also been excellent. He has worked on 2 electric guitars for me and 1 for my father. He's done an excellent job on all of them. Simon is friendly and very informative on the work he has done.
I no longer live in Swansea, but I am about to get in touch with Simon to get my bass set up when I go back next."
Highly recommended!!
Mark Griffiths
"Simon Jones is an absolutly excellent luthier, he is a wizard sorting out guitars. i have had 2 serviced, and set-up by him, and the difference is stunning. I strongly recommend him, you won`t find anyone better."
rating *****
Paula Cavallucci
"Simon has worked on four of my guitars, my friends bass and my lead guitarist's guitar too. All different jobs, but the same outcome - fantastic service form a highly skilled guitar tech!"
A Scott
"Simon is a very good guitar tech - he's worked on several of my guitars, with jobs including refrets, setups, pickup installs, tuner replacement and putting together a Warmoth project for me. He's also worked on several friends' instruments, including an immaculate refret of a 70s Les Paul. I've recommended him before, and have no hesitation in doing so again."
Guitar List
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So why does my new guitar need a set-up?
When you buy a guitar, even if it is brand new, it will almost certainly need a full set-up if you want to get the most out of it... click here for the the reason why:
Example of Workshop set-up prices :
Click on the links to get a full description of what's involved,
|
£45.00 |
|
£55.00 - £65.00 |
|
£85.00 |
|
£85.00 |
|
£175.00 - £240.00 |
|
£175.00 - £185.00 |
- Full Rewire - Electric guitars and basses (parts extra)
|
£75.00 (approx) |
Stainless Steel refrets P.O.A
**Includes a full fret-dress and re-crown
The reason for the wide range of prices on some jobs is due to the varying amounts of wear/un-eveness on the frets.
